McMaster on Bannon Being Removed From NSC: It's 'Not as Significant as it Appears'

Much was made about the removal of chief White House strategist Steve Bannon from his post on the National Security Council, but National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said on Sunday that it’s really not that big of a deal.

When asked on “Fox News Sunday” why he pushed for Bannon’s removal, McMaster said “this is not as significant as it appears, I think.”

He continued: "I think what the president was doing was making clear that he is going — in terms of permanent membership on the National Security Council — to have those permanent members who are there for every meeting ... to be those who will give him their advice on the long-term interests of the American people."

McMaster also said President Trump can “get advice from anybody he wants … and he does that.”

In doing so, Trump looks to gather a wide range of opinions from people he trusts, McMaster explained. And one of them happens to be Bannon.

McMaster dismissed the notion that it is “inappropriate” to have a political adviser in a role on the NSC, saying that it’s OK for Trump “to have in that role whoever the president wants in that role.”

“Steve Bannon provides the president with advice on a broad range of issues and will continue to do so,” he said.